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Rabbi Jason Rubenstein, Jewish chaplain at Yale University, joins Mark for a very special episode this week. Jason’s uniquely well-rounded education includes attending reformed Temple Micah in Washington DC as a child, spending his formative years studying at orthodox Yeshivat Ma’ale Gilboa in northern Israel, and receiving his rabbinic ordination from the conservative Jewish Theological Seminary. He has taught on the faculty of the Hadar Institute for a decade, and is the recipient of numerous awards including the Wexner Graduate Fellowship and the Covenant Foundation’s 2015 Pomegranate Prize for Emerging Educators. The passage he has chosen to discuss is Pesikta de-Rav Kahana (Mandelbaum) 19. Jason begins by sharing the passage, the notion of God’s marriage to the Jewish people illustrated within it, and the power of the Torah to sustain the Jewish people during God’s perceived absence. He and Mark then set off on a fascinating discussion of a number of related concepts including the rebirth of Hebrew and the Jewish State, the purpose of rituals, the Jewish commitment to Israel, and the nature of Zionism. The function and nature of prayer, the contrast between faith and belief, and the reason this passage holds such significance for Jason are also explored. As the episode draws to a close, Jason shares the lessons regarding humankind which he has learned, which leads to a discussion regarding the function of intellectual endeavor. In this remarkably dynamic conversation, the sheer amount of enthusiasm, knowledge, and insight of both host and guest entertains and informs as they clearly demonstrate yet again that the ‘wisdom in our tradition is boundless’ and the lessons eternal. Episode Highlights: · Jason’s telling of the parable · God’s marriage with the Jewish people · God’s return to the Jewish people in 1948 · The rebirth of Hebrew and the Jewish State · The purpose of rituals · The Jewish commitment to Israel · A baseball analogy for sacrifice · The nature of Zionism · The nature and function of prayer · The reason this text is so important to Jason · Faith and belief · The lessons about humankind that Jason has learned · The function of the intellectual endeavor Quotes: “I can’t believe you waited for me.” “Were it not for those letters that I kept, I would have left you a long time ago.” “God doesn’t promise us an easy time.” “God was absent.” “The portable homeland of the Jews.” “This text is, in a profound sense, atheistic.” “In 1911, the conclusion that Hebrew would not be revived was correct.” “The only way that she can keep him present in her life is by preserving the absence that he left…a hopeless romantic.” “Sacrifice is a game.” “There is absolutely no consensus for Zionism among Jews in the early 20th century.” “Religious institutions only take on their meaning in the context of the total absence of God’s presence.” “Unless you have that kind of doubt, you can’t have that kind of religious life that’s described in this text.” “The human soul is like a great wild animal.” “Your hard work as a mother is finally starting to pay off.” “Can I distill this and translate it in a way that touches someone’s heart?” “The Torah’s our great guidebook.” Pesikta de-Rav Kahana (Mandelbaum) 19: https://www.sefaria.org/Pesikta_D'Rav_Kahanna.19?lang=bi Links: The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: The Rabbi's Husband Mark’s Twitter: Mark Gerson - The Rabbi's Husband (@markgerson) The Rabbi’s Husband Newsletter contact: daniel@therabbishusband.com Rabbi Rubenstein’s Lecture on Miracles

Mark is delighted to welcome Russ Roberts, possibly America’s premier popular economist, to the podcast today. A host of his own remarkably successful podcast, ‘EconTalk’, Russ is also a prolific writer in many forms, including rap, on a variety of topics such as economics and liberty. A three-time ‘Teacher of the Year’ at George Mason University, Russ currently teaches at Stanford. The passage he has chosen to discuss with Mark today is Genesis 44.   Russ begins by sharing his summary of this passage and its backstory before joining Mark in an analysis of the use of the word ‘approach’ and their differing interpretations of both Judah’s words and the notion of forgiveness within the passage. They go on to review Judah’s heroic nature, the actual definition of forgiveness, and the advisability of starting new years without bearing grudges/anti-grudges or ‘keeping score’ within marriages. Russ draws the episode to a close by sharing the lessons he has learned about humankind, highlighting the power of being present for others and simply listening to them. Today’s conversation, with its insightful back and forth of differing interpretations, demonstrates the great tradition of debating the Torah and the expansion of ideas that is inherent to this practice, revealing the lessons and guidance so applicable, and so very necessary, for our current times.   Episode Highlights:    ·   Russ’ summary of the passage and its backstory ·   The use of the word ‘approach’ in the passage ·   Differing interpretations of Judah’s words to Joseph ·   Perspectives on Joseph’s forgiveness of his brothers and himself ·   Judah’s extraordinary qualities ·   Defining forgiveness ·   Starting new years by ‘burning them both’ ·   Bearing grudges and anti-grudges ·   ‘Keeping score’ in marriages ·   The lessons that Russ has learned about humankind   Quotes:     “Every single time there’s polygamy in the Bible, it’s a catastrophe.”   “One of the most dramatic moments in all the Bible.”   “It’s ripping his heart open.”   “I don’t think he really forgave them.”   “He doesn’t do the basics of forgiving.”   “I’m not sure Joseph ever forgives himself.”   “Maybe he said to himself, ‘I kind of deserve this’.”   “Judah…he’s like the forgotten hero of the Book of Genesis.”   “It’s quite complicated, the psychology and emotion of this.”   “If you give most people the opportunity, they will disappoint you.”   “Everyone’s in a battle so be kind.”   “We go through life with this ‘Imposter Syndrome’.”   “The world’s a lot more complicated than it appears on the outside.”   “We look for causation everywhere.”   “A lot of what comfort is, is just being there and allowing the other person to be heard.”     Genesis 44 Then he instructed his house steward as follows, “Fill the men’s bags with food, as much as they can carry, and put each one’s money in the mouth of his bag. Put my silver goblet in the mouth of the bag of the youngest one, together with his money for the rations.” And he did as Joseph told him. With the first light of morning, the men were sent off with their pack animals. They had just left the city and had not gone far, when Joseph said to his steward, “Up, go after the men! And when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why did you repay good with evil? It is the very one from which my master drinks and which he uses for divination. It was a wicked thing for you to do!’” He overtook them and spoke those words to them. And they said to him, “Why does my lord say such things? Far be it from your servants to do anything of the kind! Here we brought back to you from the land of Canaan the money that we found in the mouths of our bags. How then could we have stolen any silver or gold from your master’s house! Whichever of your servants it is found with shall die; the rest of us, moreover, shall become slaves to my lord.” He replied, “Although what you are proposing is right, only the one with whom it is found shall be my slave; but the rest of you shall go free.” So each one hastened to lower his bag to the ground, and each one opened his bag. He searched, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest; and the goblet turned up in Benjamin’s bag. At this they rent their clothes. Each reloaded his pack animal, and they returned to the city. When Judah and his brothers reentered the house of Joseph, who was still there, they threw themselves on the ground before him. Joseph said to them, “What is this deed that you have done? Do you not know that a man like me practices divination?” Judah replied, “What can we say to my lord? How can we plead, how can we prove our innocence? God has uncovered the crime of your servants. Here we are, then, slaves of my lord, the rest of us as much as he in whose possession the goblet was found.” But he replied, “Far be it from me to act thus! Only he in whose possession the goblet was found shall be my slave; the rest of you go back in peace to your father.” Then Judah went up to him and said, “Please, my lord, let your servant appeal to my lord, and do not be impatient with your servant, you who are the equal of Pharaoh. My lord asked his servants, ‘Have you a father or another brother?’ We told my lord, ‘We have an old father, and there is a child of his old age, the youngest; his full brother is dead, so that he alone is left of his mother, and his father dotes on him.’ Then you said to your servants, ‘Bring him down to me, that I may set eyes on him.’ We said to my lord, ‘The boy cannot leave his father; if he were to leave him, his father would die.’ But you said to your servants, ‘Unless your youngest brother comes down with you, do not let me see your faces.’ When we came back to your servant my father, we reported my lord’s words to him.  “Later our father said, ‘Go back and procure some food for us.’ We answered, ‘We cannot go down; only if our youngest brother is with us can we go down, for we may not show our faces to the man unless our youngest brother is with us.’ Your servant my father said to us, ‘As you know, my wife bore me two sons. But one is gone from me, and I said: Alas, he was torn by a beast! And I have not seen him since. If you take this one from me, too, and he meets with disaster, you will send my white head down to Sheol in sorrow.’  “Now, if I come to your servant my father and the boy is not with us—since his own life is so bound up with his— when he sees that the boy is not with us, he will die, and your servants will send the white head of your servant our father down to Sheol in grief. Now your servant has pledged himself for the boy to my father, saying, ‘If I do not bring him back to you, I shall stand guilty before my father forever.’ Therefore, please let your servant remain as a slave to my lord instead of the boy, and let the boy go back with his brothers. For how can I go back to my father unless the boy is with me? Let me not be witness to the woe that would overtake my father!” https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.44.1-34?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en     Links:   The Rabbi’s Husband homepage:   The Rabbi's Husband   Mark’s Twitter:   Mark Gerson - The Rabbi's Husband (@markgerson)   The Rabbi’s Husband Newsletter contact:   daniel@therabbishusband.com

Mark is delighted to welcome Pastor Will Ford to the podcast today. Currently the Director of the Marketplace Leadership Major at Christ For The Nations Institute, in Dallas, Texas, Pastor Ford is also the founder of Hilkiah Ministries. He has been interviewed by CBS, featured on The 700 Club and also in Charisma and many other media outlets, and is known internationally for his family heirloom which he brings with him to the interview today to show and discuss with Mark, pictures of which you can find by visiting The Rabbi’s Husband homepage and Twitter page. The passages Pastor Ford has chosen for today are Joshua 4:20-24 and 1 Kings 18:31-32.   Pastor Ford begins by describing his very special family heirloom, the role it has played in his life and the lives of his ancestors, some examples of the cruelty suffered by slaves, and the connection between Black Christians and the Jewish people. He then shares the fascinating story of a dream he had involving Dr. King, the impact that dream has had upon his life, and how these stories relate to today’s selected passages. Pastor Ford and Mark then explore the notion of God as a collector of memories, what God is saying to America right now, the inspirational story of Robert Russa Moton, and the development of the Pastor’s love of all things Jewish. As is the tradition, our guest concludes with the lessons he has learned about humankind. A highly engaging storyteller, Pastor Will Ford brings to life his family’s history as well as his own journey in the context of the Bible, unearthing the many profound insights to be found within these powerful passages and their very real application to current times in today’s fascinating episode.   Episode Highlights:    ·   Pastor Ford’s very special family heirloom ·   Memorial stones ·   The sections that were removed from slaves’ Bibles ·   An example of the cruelty suffered by slaves ·   The connection between Black Christians and the Jewish people ·   Pastor Ford’s dream involving Dr. King ·   Some of Pastor Ford’s experiences of racism ·   His story regarding the end of slavery and his partnership with Matt Lockett ·   Pastor Ford’s connection of his story with the selected passages ·   God as the collector of memories ·   What God is saying to America right now ·   Robert Russa Moton ·   Dr. King’s dream come true ·   The development of Pastor Ford’s love of all things Jewish ·   His perspective on how to concretize faith these days ·   The non-existence of coincidence ·   The lessons about humankind that Pastor Ford has learned   Quotes:   “Secretly, it was used for prayer.”   “This is what you stand for.”   “They prayed for the freedom of their children and the next generation.”   “They didn’t want him to have a slave last name.”   “William, get rid of your white baggage. You’ve been carrying it for way too long.”   “What color is your baggage?”   “We need each other right now more than ever before.”   “I’ve been thinking about God being the collector.”   “God, please don’t let the Jheri curl come back.”   “Come near to me.”   “He used the memories to be the building block for prayer, for intercession and…to remind God of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”   “What storyline do you want to be a part of, the healing or the hurting, the blessing or the curse?”   “I need to know more about this amazing Jewish faith.”   “We have these artifacts that show our shared history.”   “The word ‘coincidence’ is not in the Hebrew language.”   “We’re just a small snapshot, a microcosm, of what God is doing to heal a lot of the division that is going on right now.”   “The providential hand of God is moving behind the scenes.”   “God loves us more than we can fathom.”   “No one is a mistake.”    Joshua 4:20-24 And Joshua set up in Gilgal the twelve stones they had taken from the Jordan. He charged the Israelites as follows: “In time to come, when your children ask their fathers, ‘What is the meaning of those stones?’ tell your children: ‘Here the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry land.’ For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you crossed, just as the LORD your God did to the Sea of Reeds, which He dried up before us until we crossed. Thus all the peoples of the earth shall know how mighty is the hand of the LORD, and you shall fear the LORD your God always.” https://www.sefaria.org/Joshua.4.20-24?lang=bi   1 Kings 18:31-32 Then Elijah took twelve stones, corresponding to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob—to whom the word of the LORD had come: “Israel shall be your name”— and with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD. Around the altar he made a trench large enough for two seahs of seed. https://www.sefaria.org/I_Kings.18.31-32?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en    Links:   The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: The Rabbi's Husband   Mark’s Twitter: Mark Gerson - The Rabbi's Husband (@markgerson)   The Rabbi’s Husband Newsletter contact: daniel@therabbishusband.com Pastor Will Ford's Story in Words and Pictures

Newly elected Congressman, Ritchie Torres, is Mark’s very special guest this week. A product of public housing, public schools, and public hospitals in the Bronx, Ritchie went on to become the youngest elected official in New York City in 2013, and he now serves as the Congressman for New York's 15th Congressional District. The passage he has chosen to discuss with Mark today is Proverbs 18:24.   Their conversation begins with Ritchie reciting the selected passage and exploring the need for, and nature of, friendship which it conveys. From there, he and Mark discuss many aspects of friendship including its role in politics, Aristotle’s categories of friendship, Ritchie’s greatest mentor and friend, and choosing a good friend. They also look at social media’s impact upon friendships, the resulting generational differences, the polarization of politics these days, and living with magnanimity. Ritchie draws the episode to a close by sharing the reasons behind his great friendship with the Jewish people and, of course, the lessons about humankind which he has learned. Intelligent, thoughtful, and intellectually honest, Ritchie Torres demonstrates a courageous and profoundly decent approach to politics, clearly inspired by this instructive text’s lessons regarding acquiring devoted friends, and provides some sorely needed hope for the American people he has so proudly committed to serve.   Episode Highlights:    ·   Ritchie’s reading of the passage and its significance for him ·   The need for, and nature of, friendship ·   His experience with friendship in politics ·   Aristotle’s 3 categories of friendship ·   The impact that Ritchie’s mentor, Jimmy Vacca, had upon his life ·   Choosing a good friend ·   Judah and Hiram ·   Friendship and social media ·   Generational differences in friendships ·   The polarization of politics ·   Living by an ethic of magnanimity ·   His Congress orientation experience ·   Ritchie’s friendship with the Jewish people and his trips to Israel ·   The lessons about humankind which Ritchie has learned   Quotes:    “We all need friendship.”   “Prepare yourself emotionally to be bitterly disappointed, burned and betrayed.”   “You can often forge relationships in the places you would least expect.”   “The beauty of friendship is the voluntary nature.”   “The best kind of friendship that I’ve seen in my life are my mentors.”   “There were moments when I even though of committing suicide because I felt as if the world around me had collapsed, and…today I’m about to become a United States Congressman.”   “He believed in me more than I believed in myself at times.”   “Two people who shared the same soul.”   “Social media creates the illusion of friendship.”   “In the age of social media…we all manufacture a synthetic version of ourselves.”   “We never give up on any human being.”   “Friendship stems from the experience of recognizing divinity in others.”   “When I treat a mother, I’m treating God.”   “As a decent person, I have an obligation to speak out against hatred in every form, including anti-Semitism.”   “It’s important for all of us to open our minds and open our hearts to new experiences.”   “Friendship is the key to a great career in Congress.”     Proverbs 18:24 There are companions to keep one company, And there is a friend more devoted than a brother. https://www.sefaria.org/Proverbs.18.24?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en     Links:   The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: The Rabbi's Husband   Mark’s Twitter: Mark Gerson - The Rabbi's Husband (@markgerson)   The Rabbi’s Husband Newsletter contact: daniel@therabbishusband.com

Yael Eckstein is Mark’s very special guest on the podcast today. As President and CEO of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ), Yael heads the leading non-profit that is building bridges between Christians and Jews, and blessing Israel and the Jewish people around the world with humanitarian care and life-saving aid. A prolific author as well, Yael has been named one of "The World's 50 Most Influential Jews" by The Jerusalem Post in 2020. The passage she has chosen to discuss today, Ezekiel 11:17, is one that is most appropriate considering the important work to which she has dedicated herself.   Yael starts things off by summarizing her selected passage and describing how it represents a culmination of all her favorite Bible verses. She and Mark then explore the two different levels of Judaism, the role that this passage and others play in her life, and Ezekiel’s prophecies and what it means to be able to live out these prophecies in today’s world. Yael also offers some moving reflections on those whom her organization helps bring to Israel, her experiences with those discovering their connection to Israel, and the unprecedented level of friendship that currently exists between the Jewish people and Christians. She and Mark conclude by warmly reflecting upon the lessons they have both learned from Yael’s father, Yechiel, who was also a great friend and mentor to Mark. Equal parts instructive, inspiring and heartwarming, today’s conversation truly brings the Torah to life as it examines the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility of living out these prophecies, and how Yael and the IFCJ undertake this ‘sacred work’ each and every day.   Episode Highlights:    ·   Yael’s summary of the passage and how it represents a culmination of all her favorite Bible verses ·   The two different levels of Judaism ·   Ezekiel’s prophecies ·   The role this passage and others plays in Yael’s life ·   The privilege, opportunity, and responsibility of living out the prophecies today ·   The people that Yael’s organization and donors bring to Israel ·   Her experience with people discovering they belong to Israel ·   The Jewish friendship with Christians ·   The lessons Yael and Mark have learned from her father   Quotes:    “In order to really get much out of these biblical teachings, you have to first have faith.”   “We have this amazing ability to transform the mundane into holiness.”   “This specific kind of ingathering and promise from God to be returned is really where the mundane and the spiritual kiss.”   “This is a new light illuminating Zion.”   “We are the culmination of prayers of 2000 years of the Jewish people coming home to Israel and it’s not something to be taken lightly.”   “Ezekiel says it and here we are walking it.”   “God, use me in whatever way I can to be a vessel to honor You and perform Your will.”   “Until you’ve been in Israel, you can’t imagine where you’re going to. They’re really coming out of faith.”   “Now, we’re living in these awesome times which are very connected again to the verse of Ezekiel 11:17, and Israel being reunited.”   “For the first time in history, the Jewish people have friends…millions of Christians.”   “There’s a lot more of us than we think.”   “Be professional…never forget that this is a spiritual mission.”   “This is a sacrificial gift…this is what generosity is.”   “The modern state of Israel has what we might define as spirituality, as study. But it also has the IDF, and one cannot exist without the other.”   “He was the smartest guy in the room.”     Ezekiel 11:17 Yet say: Thus said the Lord GOD: I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the Land of Israel. https://www.sefaria.org/Ezekiel.11.17?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en     Links:   The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: The Rabbi's Husband   Mark’s Twitter: Mark Gerson - The Rabbi's Husband (@markgerson)   The Rabbi’s Husband Newsletter contact: daniel@therabbishusband.com

Daron K. Roberts, the founding director of the Center for Sports Leadership and Innovation (CSLi) at the University of Texas, is Mark’s very special guest on the podcast today. A former NFL and college coach, Daron created CSLi in the fall of 2014 as the first university-based institute dedicated to developing leadership and character curricula for high school, collegiate, and professional athletes. He teaches his ‘A Gameplan for Winning at Life’ through the Centre, and he has also launched the #iLEAD Speakers Series where he has interviewed a number of famous elite athletes and leading thinkers. The passage Daron has chosen to discuss today is Genesis 1:26. He begins by sharing details of his TED Talk regarding fear before offering his summary of his selected passage and how it demonstrates God’s love of diversity and our partnership in living with Him. He and Mark also examine our shared call to create and liberate, and delve deeply into God’s use of the plural ‘us’ within this passage. Daron also explains his quarterly life reviews, his parenting traditions and wisdom, and finishes up by reviewing the lessons he has learned about humankind and the need for us all to act upon the problems so very prevalent in the world. You will undoubtedly sense the sheer amount of enthusiasm and mutual respect evident in this conversation as these two extremely well versed seekers of biblical truth uncover the lessons of this passage that resonate so powerfully in our lives today. Episode Highlights: · Daron’s TED Talk · His summary of the passage and its significance to him · God’s love of diversity · Our call to create and liberate · God using the plural ‘us’ in this passage · Living in partnership with God · Daron’s quarterly reviews of his life · His family’s ‘utility hours’ and ‘donut councils’ · Daron’s parenting wisdom · Lessons about humankind that Daron has learned · The need to take action on the world’s problems Quotes: “One of the things that I’ve dedicated my life to is trying to alleviate the shackles associated with fear.” “You should view life as a Chinese buffet.” “They want to get it right, because they think there is one thing they should be doing in life, and I think as much as we can, we have to dispel that myth.” “The creation of man was a collaboration. This was a mixed tape.” “It’s man that has had the problem with diversity. God’s been good with it from the beginning.” “This very intentional crafting by the Maker of not just a human life, but also of a future and a destiny that’s enclosed within that creation.” “There’s this co-presence right from inception.” “This is creation by committee.” “We’re in partnership in terms of my life.” “The less I prescribe, the happier they are.” “We’re constantly trying to integrate teachings from other religions into our own spirituality.” “What is more important than parenting?” “We heal faster than we think we will.” “You are who the tape says you are.” “What better year to remind us that the world’s problems deserve and require our attention than 2020?” Genesis 1:26 And God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. They shall rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the cattle, the whole earth, and all the creeping things that creep on earth.” https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.1.26?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en Links: The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: The Rabbi's Husband Mark’s Twitter: Mark Gerson - The Rabbi's Husband (@markgerson) The Rabbi’s Husband Newsletter contact: daniel@therabbishusband.com

Mark is delighted to welcome Rebecca Soffer, Cofounder/CEO of Modern Loss, to the podcast this week. In addition to her work leading the Modern Loss community, Rebecca is also a co-author of Modern Loss: Candid Conversation About Grief. Beginners Welcome, and has another book coming out soon. She is a former producer for the Peabody Award–winning Colbert Report, a Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism alumna, and has spoken nationally on the themes of loss and resilience. The passage she has chosen to discuss today is Genesis 50:15-19.   Rebecca begins the conversation by summarizing the passage and noting the beauty that can come out of grief and loss as demonstrated within it. With Mark, she explores the invention of forgiveness, the differing responses to grief, and the many perspectives on the notion of ‘dying well’. Infused throughout is Rebecca’s first hand knowledge of this universal yet intensely personal experience, and how she has emerged from these struggles with a blessing which she has shared with so many others. Rebecca concludes the episode by sharing the lessons she has learned about humankind and a profound statement of the potential for healing that grief can generate in our world. Bringing her personal experiences and trademark humor to bear here today, Rebecca reinforces the power of the Torah as she illuminates the message of this text, clearly demonstrating ‘what it can teach us about both the unexpected and also unifying qualities that grief can provide in our lives’.   Episode Highlights:    ·   Rebecca’s summary of the passage and its significance for her ·   The beauty that can come out of grief and loss ·   The invention of forgiveness ·   The potential impacts of grief ·   Grief as both a singular and universal experience ·   The predictability of one’s response to grief ·   A comparison of grieving for an expected or an unexpected death ·   Rebecca’s experience with the sudden deaths of her parents ·   Her perspective on the notion of ‘dying well’ ·   The importance of having a medical directive and a will that are explicit about your wishes ·   The motivation found in remembering your mortality ·   Emerging from a struggle with a blessing ·   The lessons that Rebecca has learned about humankind   Quotes:  “When you’re thrown into a pit, something’s going wrong there.”   “Grief is messy and it’s complicated.”   “Beauty can come out of grief and loss and the complete mess of it.  And when we’re in those initial throes of grief, it’s very hard to see that.”   “It’s all coming from love and pain and confusion.”   “I don’t think you can predict anything.”   “I do agree that you can die well.”   “Everybody should have a will…you can write it on a napkin.”   “Be nice to each other or I will haunt you.”   “To surprise people with ‘choose your own adventure’, to me, that’s just not a really kind thing to do.”   “You never know what somebody else is going through.”   “We are so much more similar than we think.”   “Grief is excruciating…but it cracks us open…it can really heal the world.”     Genesis 50:15-19 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrong that we did him!” So they sent this message to Joseph, “Before his death your father left this instruction: So shall you say to Joseph, ‘Forgive, I urge you, the offense and guilt of your brothers who treated you so harshly.’ Therefore, please forgive the offense of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph was in tears as they spoke to him. His brothers went to him themselves, flung themselves before him, and said, “We are prepared to be your slaves.” But Joseph said to them, “Have no fear! Am I a substitute for God? https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.50.15-19?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en     Links:   The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: The Rabbi's Husband   Mark’s Twitter: Mark Gerson - The Rabbi's Husband (@markgerson)   The Rabbi’s Husband Newsletter contact: daniel@therabbishusband

Mark’s guest this week is the award-winning author and writer, Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg. Danya is the author of numerous books, including Surprised By God: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Religion, and has written for The New York Times, The Atlantic, Salon, Time, and Newsweek, among many other publications. She currently serves as Scholar in Residence at the National Council of Jewish Women, and the passage she has chosen to discuss today is Exodus 32, the story of the golden calf.   Danya begins by offering a very animated summary of the passage, its context, and its significance for her, which leads to a look at the different interpretations of Aaron’s actions within the passage. She and Mark then delve into the details of Moses’ involvement, the character of God in the Torah, and Danya’s perspective on the failure of adaptive leadership demonstrated in this text. They also examine the potential reasons for Aaron’s inability to ‘meet the moment’, the difference between leaders who give people what they want as opposed to what they need, and Danya concludes by sharing the lessons she has learned about humankind which relate directly back to the chosen passage.   Episode Highlights:    ·   Danya’s summary of the passage, its context, and its significance for her ·   Interpretations of Aaron’s actions within the passage ·   One of Moses’ greatest moments ·   The character of God in Torah ·   The failure of adaptive leadership in both this passage and today’s world ·   Why Aaron didn’t ‘meet the moment’ ·   Leaders who give people what they want vs. what they need ·   The lessons about humankind that Danya has learned   Quotes:   “This is one of these great moments that gets cited as to how we understand what a prophet is.”   “If You do that, blot me out of Your Torah.”   “This is a picture of God that is constantly learning and growing and changing.”   “I believe the pronoun for God is God, because God is not a ‘dude’.”   “I think the golden calf story is a story about the failure of adaptive leadership.”   “Major change always involves loss, and adaptive leadership is about helping people to bridge that gap.”   “The substitute teacher got kids who had way bigger needs than he expected and he didn’t meet the moment.”   “Your need is legitimate and let’s find a healthy way to help you express it.”   “We need to find a new way of coping to meet this moment.”   “It’s…potentially, you know, an adaptive leadership moment.”   “People need to hear, ‘You’re not bad’.”   “Clean up your mess!”   “Doing the hard work then makes you free.”   “I don’t think you can read ‘The Golden Calf’ without talking about trauma.”   “It’s not somebody’s fault if they don’t have tools.”     Exodus 32 When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, the people gathered against Aaron and said to him, “Come, make us a god who shall go before us, for that man Moses, who brought us from the land of Egypt—we do not know what has happened to him.” Aaron said to them, “Take off the gold rings that are on the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” And all the people took off the gold rings that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. This he took from them and cast in a mold, and made it into a molten calf. And they exclaimed, “This is your god, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt!” When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it; and Aaron announced: “Tomorrow shall be a festival of the LORD!” Early next day, the people offered up burnt offerings and brought sacrifices of well-being; they sat down to eat and drink, and then rose to dance. The LORD spoke to Moses, “Hurry down, for your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt, have acted basely. They have been quick to turn aside from the way that I enjoined upon them. They have made themselves a molten calf and bowed low to it and sacrificed to it, saying: ‘This is your god, O Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt!’” The LORD further said to Moses, “I see that this is a stiffnecked people. Now, let Me be, that My anger may blaze forth against them and that I may destroy them, and make of you a great nation.” But Moses implored the LORD his God, saying, “Let not Your anger, O Lord, blaze forth against Your people, whom You delivered from the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand. Let not the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that He delivered them, only to kill them off in the mountains and annihilate them from the face of the earth.’ Turn from Your blazing anger, and renounce the plan to punish Your people. Remember Your servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, how You swore to them by Your Self and said to them: I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven, and I will give to your offspring this whole land of which I spoke, to possess forever.” And the LORD renounced the punishment He had planned to bring upon His people. Thereupon Moses turned and went down from the mountain bearing the two tablets of the Pact, tablets inscribed on both their surfaces: they were inscribed on the one side and on the other. The tablets were God’s work, and the writing was God’s writing, incised upon the tablets. When Joshua heard the sound of the people in its boisterousness, he said to Moses, “There is a cry of war in the camp.” But he answered, “It is not the sound of the tune of triumph, Or the sound of the tune of defeat; It is the sound of song that I hear!” As soon as Moses came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, he became enraged; and he hurled the tablets from his hands and shattered them at the foot of the mountain. He took the calf that they had made and burned it; he ground it to powder and strewed it upon the water and so made the Israelites drink it. Moses said to Aaron, “What did this people do to you that you have brought such great sin upon them?” Aaron said, “Let not my lord be enraged. You know that this people is bent on evil. They said to me, ‘Make us a god to lead us; for that man Moses, who brought us from the land of Egypt—we do not know what has happened to him.’ So I said to them, ‘Whoever has gold, take it off!’ They gave it to me and I hurled it into the fire and out came this calf!” Moses saw that the people were out of control—since Aaron had let them get out of control—so that they were a menace to any who might oppose them. Moses stood up in the gate of the camp and said, “Whoever is for the LORD, come here!” And all the Levites rallied to him. He said to them, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Each of you put sword on thigh, go back and forth from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay brother, neighbor, and kin.” The Levites did as Moses had bidden; and some three thousand of the people fell that day. And Moses said, “Dedicate yourselves to the LORD this day—for each of you has been against son and brother—that He may bestow a blessing upon you today.” The next day Moses said to the people, “You have been guilty of a great sin. Yet I will now go up to the LORD; perhaps I may win forgiveness for your sin.” Moses went back to the LORD and said, “Alas, this people is guilty of a great sin in making for themselves a god of gold. Now, if You will forgive their sin [well and good]; but if not, erase me from the record which You have written!” But the LORD said to Moses, “He who has sinned against Me, him only will I erase from My record. Go now, lead the people where I told you. See, My angel shall go before you. But when I make an accounting, I will bring them to account for their sins.” Then the LORD sent a plague upon the people, for what they did with the calf that Aaron made.  https://www.sefaria.org/Exodus.32.1-35?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en     Links:   The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: The Rabbi's Husband   Mark’s Twitter: Mark Gerson - The Rabbi's Husband (@markgerson)   The Rabbi’s Husband Newsletter contact: daniel@therabbishusband.com

Mark is delighted to welcome Dr. Elana Stein Hain to the podcast today. In addition to her role as the Director of Faculty at the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America, Elana also co-leads the Created Equal research team, and is a widely well-regarded teacher and scholar. She has served for eight years as a clergy member on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, at both Lincoln Square Synagogue and the Jewish Center, and has taught at the Wagner School at NYU. The passage she has chosen to discuss with Mark today is Jeremiah 28. Elana begins by reviewing her doctoral dissertation on legal loopholes in rabbinic law, exploring examples of both the letter and spirit of the law, and then summarizing today’s passage and its significance for her. She and Mark discuss the differing models of leadership demonstrated within the passage and how these models are evident in America today, the complexities and demands of religion, the tendency among some to gravitate toward ‘cheap grace’, and the difference between the prophetic and the rabbinic. As with all episodes, our guest draws it to a close by sharing the lessons she has learned about humankind. From start to finish, the conversation here today is filled with fascinating ideas with very real implications in modern society, a function of the eternal guidance of this remarkable text. Episode Highlights: · Elana’s dissertation on legal loopholes in rabbinic law · Selling chametz before Passover · Elena’s summary of the passage and its significance for her · Leadership and the message of agency · Morality and politics in America today · The complexities and demands of religion · Gravitating toward ‘cheap grace’ · The difference between prophetic and rabbinic · The lessons about humankind that Elana has learned Quotes: “Some of my religious life was constructed around loopholes.” “You can actually sometimes use the letter of the law in order to fulfill the spirit of the law.” “You actually have to work on your relationship with God, you have to work on your relationship with people.” “Everybody is going to want to listen to the guy who gives the easy version.” “He actually wants the people to get it right.” “There’s going to be nothing easy about this.” “They turn it into politics when it’s really about morality, and that, I think, happens all the time.” “I always wonder, as an educator, whether we sell religion short by not talking about its complexities, by not talking about its demands.” “Are we created in God’s image or is God created in our image?” “We can justify anything.” “It’s really seeing something much bigger than oneself. We’re not the center of the story.” “So many people think that they’re the only one.” “You get to be there for a person and they know they’re not going to be judged.” “Your problem becomes your security blanket.” Jeremiah 28 That year, early in the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah, in the fifth month of the fourth year, the prophet Hananiah son of Azzur, who was from Gibeon, spoke to me in the House of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and all the people. He said: “Thus said the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel: I hereby break the yoke of the king of Babylon. In two years, I will restore to this place all the vessels of the House of the LORD which King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon took from this place and brought to Babylon. And I will bring back to this place King Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim of Judah, and all the Judean exiles who went to Babylon—declares the LORD. Yes, I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon.” Then the prophet Jeremiah answered the prophet Hananiah in the presence of the priests and of all the people who were standing in the House of the LORD. The prophet Jeremiah said: “Amen! May the LORD do so! May the LORD fulfill what you have prophesied and bring back from Babylon to this place the vessels of the House of the LORD and all the exiles! But just listen to this word which I address to you and to all the people: The prophets who lived before you and me from ancient times prophesied war, disaster, and pestilence against many lands and great kingdoms. So if a prophet prophesies good fortune, then only when the word of the prophet comes true can it be known that the LORD really sent him.” But the prophet Hananiah removed the bar from the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, and broke it; and Hananiah said in the presence of all the people, “Thus said the LORD: So will I break the yoke of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon from off the necks of all the nations, in two years.” And the prophet Jeremiah went on his way. After the prophet Hananiah had broken the bar from off the neck of the prophet Jeremiah, the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: “Go say to Hananiah: Thus said the LORD: You broke bars of wood, but you shall make bars of iron instead. For thus said the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel: I have put an iron yoke upon the necks of all those nations, that they may serve King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon—and serve him they shall! I have even given the wild beasts to him.” And the prophet Jeremiah said to the prophet Hananiah, “Listen, Hananiah! The LORD did not send you, and you have given this people lying assurances. Assuredly, thus said the LORD: I am going to banish you from off the earth. This year you shall die, for you have urged disloyalty to the LORD.” And the prophet Hananiah died that year, in the seventh month. https://www.sefaria.org/Jeremiah.28.1-17?lang=bi Links: The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: The Rabbi's Husband Mark’s Twitter: Mark Gerson - The Rabbi's Husband (@markgerson) The Rabbi’s Husband Newsletter contact: daniel@therabbishusband.com

Mark welcomes two special guests from BBYO, one of the Jewish community’s premier platforms for reaching and inspiring Jewish teens, to the podcast today. Kelly Fagel is a 17-year-old High School Senior who serves as the 32nd International Sh'licha, Vice President of Jewish Enrichment and Community Service, with BBYO, and she is also the youngest guest to ever appear on the podcast. With her is BBYO's Chief Executive Officer since 2004, Matt Grossman, who is currently responsible for working with the organization's teen, professional, volunteer and philanthropic leaders, to set BBYO's vision and direction. The passage they have chosen to discuss is one that holds special meaning for them both, Leviticus 14:1-15:33.   Matt and Kelly begin by discussing the special connection the passage holds for them, and then share a summary of the passage and a look at the notions of humility, pride, and confidence found within it. Much of the remainder of the podcast outlines the connection between the passage's message of how isolation impacts one’s ability to do good as well as how technology can prove both a blessing and a curse in these circumstances. Connecting this tale regarding leprosy to the current pandemic, our guests explore their own quarantine experiences as well as those within the BBYO community. The tremendous success that BBYO generates is also discussed before our guests conclude the episode with the lessons they have learned about humankind. This conversation, rooted as it is in the diseases of leprosy and COVID, nevertheless conveys a message of hope for the future, as we learn more about the power of BBYO and the incredible youth involved with it.   Episode Highlights:    ·   Matt and Kelly revisiting their bar/bat mitzvah parshah ·   Kelly’s summary of the passage ·   Humility, pride, and confidence ·   Finding blessing even in our darkest moments ·   Isolation’s impact upon one’s ability to do good now and in the future ·   Technology’s ability to allow us to do good in isolation today ·   Kelly’s quarantine experience ·   Matt’s perspective on the quarantine’s effect on young Jewish engagement ·   Kelly’s Global Shabbat Program ·   Individual vs. community experience of the pandemic ·   The moment this passage came back to Matt and Kelly during the quarantine ·   Technology as a double edged sword and bringing together the passage’s two themes of affliction and isolation and speaking poorly of others in 2020 ·   How young people are educated about lashon hara ·   The BBYO Covenant ·   How BBYO Jewish enrichment and service competes against other activities and pursuits for youth ·   The lessons that Kelly and Matt have learned about humankind   Quotes:   “Generation apart but we’re studying the same sacred text and trying to derive new lessons from it.”   “Even when we’re in our darkest moment…we’ll find the blessing.”   “What is the purpose of life if not to give of oneself to others?”   “The quarantine is taking away one’s ability to do good.”    “We’re addressing this by being there for each other.”   “The greatest light is what’s motivating us.”   “Our community needs this moment together right now.”   “Shabbat became Shabbat for all of us.”   “No one is immune from what’s going on in the world right now.”   “Did we all collectively do something wrong in the world to deserve whatever’s happening in the world right now?   “What’s helping to cure us is also tearing us apart.”   “Learning how to engage with people even if you’re upset at them…still show them love in different ways.”   “All of Jewish practice is about reminders.”   “There’s definitely diversity in a lot of programming the communities do.”   “A striking example of what young people can do when community’s the mission.”   “People can chart their own path.”   “People want to grow and they want to be a part of something bigger especially during the adolescent years.”     Leviticus 14:1 – 15:33 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: This shall be the ritual for a leper at the time that he is to be cleansed. When it has been reported to the priest, the priest shall go outside the camp. If the priest sees that the leper has been healed of his scaly affection, the priest shall order two live clean birds, cedar wood, crimson stuff, and hyssop to be brought for him who is to be cleansed. The priest shall order one of the birds slaughtered over fresh water in an earthen vessel; and he shall take the live bird, along with the cedar wood, the crimson stuff, and the hyssop, and dip them together with the live bird in the blood of the bird that was slaughtered over the fresh water. He shall then sprinkle it seven times on him who is to be cleansed of the eruption and cleanse him; and he shall set the live bird free in the open country. The one to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, shave off all his hair, and bathe in water; then he shall be clean. After that he may enter the camp, but he must remain outside his tent seven days. On the seventh day he shall shave off all his hair—of head, beard, and eyebrows. When he has shaved off all his hair, he shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water; then he shall be clean. On the eighth day he shall take two male lambs without blemish, one ewe lamb in its first year without blemish, three-tenths of a measure of choice flour with oil mixed in for a meal offering, and one log of oil. These shall be presented before the LORD, with the man to be cleansed, at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, by the priest who performs the cleansing. The priest shall take one of the male lambs and offer it with the log of oil as a guilt offering, and he shall elevate them as an elevation offering before the LORD. The lamb shall be slaughtered at the spot in the sacred area where the sin offering and the burnt offering are slaughtered. For the guilt offering, like the sin offering, goes to the priest; it is most holy. The priest shall take some of the blood of the guilt offering, and the priest shall put it on the ridge of the right ear of him who is being cleansed, and on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. The priest shall then take some of the log of oil and pour it into the palm of his own left hand. And the priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in the palm of his left hand and sprinkle some of the oil with his finger seven times before the LORD. Some of the oil left in his palm shall be put by the priest on the ridge of the right ear of the one being cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot—over the blood of the guilt offering. The rest of the oil in his palm the priest shall put on the head of the one being cleansed. Thus the priest shall make expiation for him before the LORD. The priest shall then offer the sin offering and make expiation for the one being cleansed of his uncleanness. Last, the burnt offering shall be slaughtered, and the priest shall offer the burnt offering and the meal offering on the altar, and the priest shall make expiation for him. Then he shall be clean. If, however, he is poor and his means are insufficient, he shall take one male lamb for a guilt offering, to be elevated in expiation for him, one-tenth of a measure of choice flour with oil mixed in for a meal offering, and a log of oil; and two turtledoves or two pigeons, depending on his means, the one to be the sin offering and the other the burnt offering. On the eighth day of his cleansing he shall bring them to the priest at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, before the LORD. The priest shall take the lamb of guilt offering and the log of oil, and elevate them as an elevation offering before the LORD. When the lamb of guilt offering has been slaughtered, the priest shall take some of the blood of the guilt offering and put it on the ridge of the right ear of the one being cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. The priest shall then pour some of the oil into the palm of his own left hand, and with the finger of his right hand the priest shall sprinkle some of the oil that is in the palm of his left hand seven times before the LORD. Some of the oil in his palm shall be put by the priest on the ridge of the right ear of the one being cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot, over the same places as the blood of the guilt offering; and what is left of the oil in his palm the priest shall put on the head of the one being cleansed, to make expiation for him before the LORD. He shall then offer one of the turtledoves or pigeons, depending on his means— whichever he can afford—the one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering, together with the meal offering. Thus the priest shall make expiation before the LORD for the one being cleansed. Such is the ritual for him who has a scaly affection and whose means for his cleansing are limited. The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: When you enter the land of Canaan that I give you as a possession, and I inflict an eruptive plague upon a house in the land you possess, the owner of the house shall come and tell the priest, saying, “Something like a plague has appeared upon my house.” The priest shall order the house cleared before the priest enters to examine the plague, so that nothing in the house may become unclean; after that the priest shall enter to examine the house. If, when he examines the plague, the plague in the walls of the house is found to consist of greenish or reddish streaks that appear to go deep into the wall, the priest shall come out of the house to the entrance of the house, and close up the house for seven days. On the seventh day the priest shall return. If he sees that the plague has spread on the walls of the house, the priest shall order the stones with the plague in them to be pulled out and cast outside the city into an unclean place. The house shall be scraped inside all around, and the coating that is scraped off shall be dumped outside the city in an unclean place. They shall take other stones and replace those stones with them, and take other coating and plaster the house. If the plague again breaks out in the house, after the stones have been pulled out and after the house has been scraped and replastered, the priest shall come to examine: if the plague has spread in the house, it is a malignant eruption in the house; it is unclean. The house shall be torn down—its stones and timber and all the coating on the house—and taken to an unclean place outside the city. Whoever enters the house while it is closed up shall be unclean until evening. Whoever sleeps in the house must wash his clothes, and whoever eats in the house must wash his clothes. If, however, the priest comes and sees that the plague has not spread in the house after the house was replastered, the priest shall pronounce the house clean, for the plague has healed. To purge the house, he shall take two birds, cedar wood, crimson stuff, and hyssop. He shall slaughter the one bird over fresh water in an earthen vessel. He shall take the cedar wood, the hyssop, the crimson stuff, and the live bird, and dip them in the blood of the slaughtered bird and the fresh water, and sprinkle on the house seven times. Having purged the house with the blood of the bird, the fresh water, the live bird, the cedar wood, the hyssop, and the crimson stuff, he shall set the live bird free outside the city in the open country. Thus he shall make expiation for the house, and it shall be clean. Such is the ritual for every eruptive affection—for scalls, for an eruption on a cloth or a house, for swellings, for rashes, or for discolorations— to determine when they are unclean and when they are clean. Such is the ritual concerning eruptions.   15 The LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying: Speak to the Israelite people and say to them: When any man has a discharge issuing from his member, he is unclean. The uncleanness from his discharge shall mean the following—whether his member runs with the discharge or is stopped up so that there is no discharge, his uncleanness means this: Any bedding on which the one with the discharge lies shall be unclean, and every object on which he sits shall be unclean. Anyone who touches his bedding shall wash his clothes, bathe in water, and remain unclean until evening. Whoever sits on an object on which the one with the discharge has sat shall wash his clothes, bathe in water, and remain unclean until evening. Whoever touches the body of the one with the discharge shall wash his clothes, bathe in water, and remain unclean until evening. If one with a discharge spits on one who is clean, the latter shall wash his clothes, bathe in water, and remain unclean until evening. Any means for riding that one with a discharge has mounted shall be unclean; whoever touches anything that was under him shall be unclean until evening; and whoever carries such things shall wash his clothes, bathe in water, and remain unclean until evening. If one with a discharge, without having rinsed his hands in water, touches another person, that person shall wash his clothes, bathe in water, and remain unclean until evening. An earthen vessel that one with a discharge touches shall be broken; and any wooden implement shall be rinsed with water. When one with a discharge becomes clean of his discharge, he shall count off seven days for his cleansing, wash his clothes, and bathe his body in fresh water; then he shall be clean. On the eighth day he shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons and come before the LORD at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting and give them to the priest. The priest shall offer them, the one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering. Thus the priest shall make expiation on his behalf, for his discharge, before the LORD. When a man has an emission of semen, he shall bathe his whole body in water and remain unclean until evening. All cloth or leather on which semen falls shall be washed in water and remain unclean until evening. And if a man has carnal relations with a woman, they shall bathe in water and remain unclean until evening. When a woman has a discharge, her discharge being blood from her body, she shall remain in her impurity seven days; whoever touches her shall be unclean until evening. Anything that she lies on during her impurity shall be unclean; and anything that she sits on shall be unclean. Anyone who touches her bedding shall wash his clothes, bathe in water, and remain unclean until evening; and anyone who touches any object on which she has sat shall wash his clothes, bathe in water, and remain unclean until evening. Be it the bedding or be it the object on which she has sat, on touching it he shall be unclean until evening. And if a man lies with her, her impurity is communicated to him; he shall be unclean seven days, and any bedding on which he lies shall become unclean. When a woman has had a discharge of blood for many days, not at the time of her impurity, or when she has a discharge beyond her period of impurity, she shall be unclean, as though at the time of her impurity, as long as her discharge lasts. Any bedding on which she lies while her discharge lasts shall be for her like bedding during her impurity; and any object on which she sits shall become unclean, as it does during her impurity: whoever touches them shall be unclean; he shall wash his clothes, bathe in water, and remain unclean until evening. When she becomes clean of her discharge, she shall count off seven days, and after that she shall be clean. On the eighth day she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons, and bring them to the priest at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting. The priest shall offer the one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering; and the priest shall make expiation on her behalf, for her unclean discharge, before the LORD. You shall put the Israelites on guard against their uncleanness, lest they die through their uncleanness by defiling My Tabernacle which is among them. Such is the ritual concerning him who has a discharge: concerning him who has an emission of semen and becomes unclean thereby, and concerning her who is in menstrual infirmity, and concerning anyone, male or female, who has a discharge, and concerning a man who lies with an unclean woman. https://www.sefaria.org/Leviticus.14.1-15.33?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en   Links:   The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: The Rabbi's Husband   Mark’s Twitter: Mark Gerson - The Rabbi's Husband (@markgerson)   The Rabbi’s Husband Newsletter contact: daniel@therabbishusband.com

Boyd Matheson, opinion editor at the Deseret News, is Mark’s very special guest on today’s episode. For over 25 years, Boyd has worked as a consultant, executive strategist and performance coach with global companies, and he has also served as Chief of Staff for US Senator Mike Lee, and is the former President of the Sutherland Institute. The passage Boyd has chosen to discuss with Mark today is 1 Samuel 17:48.   Boyd begins their conversation by summarizing the passage, and sharing its significance for him which is based in its lesson about the nature of true confidence. He and Mark then delve into the biblical notion of humility, the crisis in confidence in today’s world, ‘light kindlers’, and servant leadership. Boyd also relates his perspective on the source of confidence, his love, and the love of the Mormon Church, for Judaism, Russell M. Nelson and his ability to transmit confidence, and the importance of remembering and learning. After a brief discussion about the power of little things in life, Boyd concludes the episode by sharing the lessons he has learned about humankind. The profound lessons offered in this short but powerful passage abound in today’s revealing and instructive conversation, holding great relevance for our world today.   Episode Highlights:    ·   Boyd’s summary of the passage and its significance for him ·   True confidence ·   The biblical idea of humility ·   The crisis in confidence throughout the world today ·   ‘Light kindlers’ and sharing the light ·   Servant leadership ·   Boyd’s perspective on the sources of confidence ·   His love of Judaism ·   The importance of remembering and learning ·   The Mormon Church and their love of the Jewish people ·   Russell M. Nelson and his ability to transmit confidence ·   The impact of the little things in life ·   The lessons about humankind that Boyd has learned   Quotes:   “The focus of this is what happens just before the battle…David ran to meet Goliath!”   “To me, confidence is never arrogance.”   “True confidence comes when you have respect for the challenge.”   “It comes from doing the hard work and heavy lifting that happens in our homes and it happens in our communities.”   “If you have to declare it, you’re not it.”   “There is power and strength and energy in that meekness, that humility.”   “False confidence is equally a sin.”   “We all should be thankful for those ‘light kindlers’.”   “A real leader lights all the others.”   “Every time I share, I have more.”   “It’s God’s version of a ‘triple dog dare’.”   “When you know God’s with you, that’s ultimate confidence.”   “No one gets a generation off.”   “Elephants don’t bite, but fleas do.”   “There is great good to be had in every person.”   “We’re all broken a little bit differently.”     1 Samuel 17:48 When the Philistine began to advance toward him again, David quickly ran up to the battle line to face the Philistine. https://www.sefaria.org/I_Samuel.17.48?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en     Links:   The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: The Rabbi's Husband   Mark’s Twitter: Mark Gerson - The Rabbi's Husband (@markgerson)   The Rabbi’s Husband Newsletter contact: daniel@therabbishusband.com

Celebrated author and educator, Michal Lemberger, joins Mark for today’s podcast. Michal’s debut collection, After Abel and Other Stories, has garnered numerous awards, and her nonfiction and journalism have appeared in many publications, including Real Simple, Slate, Salon, and Tablet. She has taught the Hebrew Bible as Literature at UCLA and the American Jewish University, a course that Mark would dearly love to take. The passage Michal has chosen to discuss is one that no guest has previously chosen, Genesis 19:6-9. Michal begins the conversation by summarizing the passage, noting its horrifying nature and the lack of female commentary on the Torah and the corresponding lack of attention given to violence against women within it. From that point on, this episode becomes a class in the art of arguing the Torah, as she and Mark explore differing perspectives and readings on a number of its passages. The back and forth of interpretations regarding such topics as the treatment of women, judicial systems, competing claims for power, government actions, and the lessons to be found in the negative aspects of the Torah, make for truly exciting and thought provoking listening. Michal’s literary expertise is on full display as she discusses the nature of storytelling in ancient times, the role of the ‘trickster’, and the lack of female perspective, particularly in Dinah’s story. This conversation draws to a close with the lessons Michal has learned about humankind and her thoughts on the need to ensure respect for all on a systemic level. As you listen today, you will understand precisely why Mark would absolutely love to participate in Michal’s class as, together, they exchange an array of informed and often differing perspectives and opinions throughout this episode which Michal fittingly describes as a ‘good little argument about the Bible’. Episode Highlights: · Michal’s summary of the passage and her reason for selecting it · The lack of both Torah commentary by women and attention given to violence against women in the Bible · Differing readings on a number of biblical stories · Reckoning with the examples of justice/injustice in these passages · Looking at the biblical text as a narrative of competing claims for power · Actions enacted on two levels by governments today · The lessons to be found in the negative aspects of the Bible · Storytelling in the ancient world · The ‘trickster’ figure in literature · The lack of Dinah’s perspective · The lessons about humankind that Michal has learned · Ensuring respect on a systemic level Quotes: “I find that to be a truly horrifying passage.” “What the Bible is sanctioning there is ‘You may rape them to death’.” “What it shows is what gets ignored when certain people are not given voices to comment on the Bible.” “Women were not really allowed to be the authorities on these texts, and so lines like that just got ignored.” “Can’t we say that the Jewish people coalesced around being horrified at violence against women in the rape of Dinah?” “Lot is like Fredo in ‘The Godfather’. He’s like a bumbling moron.” “There really is a hierarchy in the biblical world, and the biblical world is interested in rich men.” “I really think the Book of Ruth is a perfect book.” “When you change the lens through which you’re reading this material, you see a whole world that is invisible to those at the top of the hierarchy.” “My perspective is inherently political…it’s about who has power and who doesn’t.” “I think one of the greatest things that the Jewish tradition gives to us is the notion that our heroes are not perfect.” “Women and girls, daughters, were property and had no options, and maybe we can create a different world.” “When we look at the story from below…we see different things.” “When you trick the trickster, it really undoes the whole order of things, and the Bible is very concerned with order…right from the beginning.” “We never actually get Dinah’s perspective.” “People don’t like to give up their ideas.” “Everyone wants respect. We need to change the angle at which we look at things so that everyone gets respect.” “It is so easy for us to give people respect, and yet we don’t.” Genesis 19:6-9 So Lot went out to them to the entrance, shut the door behind him, and said, “I beg you, my friends, do not commit such a wrong. Look, I have two daughters who have not known a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them as you please; but do not do anything to these men, since they have come under the shelter of my roof.” But they said, “Stand back! The fellow,” they said, “came here as an alien, and already he acts the ruler! Now we will deal worse with you than with them.” And they pressed hard against the person of Lot, and moved forward to break the door. https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.19.6-9?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en Links: The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: The Rabbi's Husband Mark’s Twitter: Mark Gerson - The Rabbi's Husband (@markgerson) The Rabbi’s Husband Newsletter contact: daniel@therabbishusband.com

One of America’s most prominent thinkers and leaders, Abigail Pogrebin, joins Mark on the podcast today. Abigail has served as President of Central Synagogue, and her book, My Jewish Year: 18 Holidays; One Wondering Jew, was a finalist for the 2018 National Jewish Book Award. She is currently the host of the ‘Parsha in Progress’ podcast, one of Mark’s favorites, which features a regular Torah discussion between herself and Rabbi Dov Linzer , President of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah. The passage she has chosen to discuss today is Deuteronomy 15:7-10.   Abigail begins the conversation with her summary of the passage and its significance for her that is rooted in its call for us to respond to those in need. She and Mark explore its relevance, particularly during the current pandemic, and review the notion of duties of the heart, as well as the necessity of doing the right thing and the benefits that will consequently arise. As is tradition, our guest concludes the episode with the lessons she has learned about humankind which also happen to reflect back upon the theme of the chosen passage. Abigail and Mark’s dynamic conversation here today unearths the highly relevant guidance of ‘Moses’ parting gift’, and demonstrates just how powerful the wisdom of the Torah can and should be in all our lives.   Episode Highlights:    ·   Abigail’s summary of the passage and its significance for her ·   Responding to those in need ·   A call to us now ·   Duties of the heart ·   Doing the right thing and the benefits of it ·   The lessons about humankind that Abigail has learned   Quotes:   “When you see someone in trouble, you have to act.”   “You have to respond.”   “The Jews cry a lot.”   “Compassion is not necessarily an emotion, it’s a requirement.”   “Something is demanded of us.”   “This is pushing us to look beyond our Jewish kinsmen or kinsfolk.”   “I think right now, we underestimate the power of encouragement, we underestimate the power of comfort.”   “Both the material gifts and the blessings are required…you have to do them both.”   “People are so tired of thoughts and prayers.”   “Don’t think that this is something beyond you that doesn’t touch you.”   “You should do it because it’s the right thing to do.”   “You’re going to get richer if you give to the poor.”   “Pay it forward.”   “Everyone disappoints you.”   “Everyone gets their hurdle.”     Deuteronomy 15:7-10 If, however, there is a needy person among you, one of your kinsmen in any of your settlements in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not harden your heart and shut your hand against your needy kinsman. Rather, you must open your hand and lend him sufficient for whatever he needs. Beware lest you harbor the base thought, “The seventh year, the year of remission, is approaching,” so that you are mean to your needy kinsman and give him nothing. He will cry out to the LORD against you, and you will incur guilt. Give to him readily and have no regrets when you do so, for in return the LORD your God will bless you in all your efforts and in all your undertakings. https://www.sefaria.org/Deuteronomy.15.7-10?lang=bi&aliyot=0   Links:   The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: The Rabbi's Husband   Mark’s Twitter: Mark Gerson - The Rabbi's Husband (@markgerson)   The Rabbi’s Husband Newsletter contact: daniel@therabbishusband.com

Mark is delighted to welcome Dr. Michael Helfand to the podcast today. Michael is the Vice Dean for Faculty and Research at the Caruso School of Law, Pepperdine University, and an expert on religious law and religious liberty with a particular emphasis on clashes between religion and commerce. He is a frequent author and lecturer, focusing on how U.S. law treats religious law, custom and practice, and he also serves as both an arbitrator and consultant for the Beth Din of America. The passage he has chosen to discuss with Mark today is actually taken from the Talmud - Sotah 49b:11-14.   Michael begins the conversation by summarizing the passage, where it is found in the Talmud, and its significance for him. He and Mark examine the relative opportunities and responsibilities of the 4th century and 21st century Jew, stressing the obligation of Jews today to live their lives with Jewish values integrated throughout. They also explore the Beth Din, Michael’s involvement with it, and the application of Jewish as opposed to secular Laws. As all episodes do, this one ends with our guest sharing the lessons he has learned about humankind. From a passage that Mark had never known about comes a revealing discussion of the advantages and obligations of Jews in the world today – relevant, instructive, and truly inspiring for all who listen and take it to heart.   Episode Highlights:    ·   Michael’s summary of the passage, where it is in the Talmud, and its significance for him ·   Different expectations for those in positions of political import found in the passage and the reason for these expectations ·   The differences between being Jewish in the 4th century and the 21st century including the opportunities and responsibilities of the 21st century Jew ·   The Beth Din and Michael’s involvement with it ·   The difference between the application of Jewish Law from secular Law ·   Integrity and value based decisions ·   Religious commercial lives ·   Living lives of Jewish values ·   The lessons about humankind that Michael has learned   Quotes:   “You just looked, acted, and sounded different – that was the expectation.”   “If you’re close to political power, we understand that there’s a need to cover your identity, to hide who you are.”   “Every Jew should be a proud Jew.”   “It’s also a reminder that the 21st century doesn’t really look like the 4th century, which is something…I think we take for granted.”   “It’s a reminder of where we come from.”   “You have the opportunity to speak based on your values, to show who you really are. That means, I think, that we’ve got work to do.”   “Being a 21st century Jew is such a special opportunity.”   “99% of the cases are two Orthodox Jews.”   “Judaism is all about integrity.”   “Everything we do is a value decision. It’s an attempt to live a Jewish life of value.”   “The Jewish experience, literally, is outside.”   “Our Judaism isn’t meant to be small. It’s meant to be big.”   “It’s a difficult freedom.”   “People lie. They lie all the time.”   “People aren’t as bad as they are on their worst day.”   “My Judaism is on my sleeve.”   “Back in the day, we hid our values when it meant death, but that’s not what we’re dealing with now.”     Sotah 49b:11-14 It is understood from both the mishna and the baraita that it is prohibited to learn Greek. The Gemara raises a question: Is that so? But didn’t Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi say: In Eretz Yisrael, why should people speak the tongue of Syriac [Sursi], the Aramaic commonly spoken in Eretz Yisrael? Rather, they should speak either in the sacred tongue, Hebrew, or in the beautiful tongue of Greek. And Rav Yosef similarly said: In Babylonia, why should they speak in the vernacular tongue of Aramaic? Rather, they should speak either in the sacred tongue, Hebrew, or in the tongue of Persian, used by the authorities. The Gemara answers that there is a difference: The Greek tongue is discrete and Greek wisdom is discrete, and the Sages prohibited the latter but not the former. The Gemara poses a question: And is Greek wisdom prohibited? But didn’t Rav Yehuda say that Shmuel said in the name of Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel: What is the meaning of that which is written: “My eye affected my soul, due to all the daughters of my city” (Lamentations 3:51)? There were a thousand children in my father’s house, the princes’ household. Five hundred of them learned Torah, and the other five hundred learned Greek wisdom, and there only remained of them, after the bar Kokheva revolt, me, here in Eretz Yisrael, and the son of my father’s brother, who lives in Asia Minor [Asya]. The fact that Rabban Gamliel allowed half of his household to study Greek wisdom indicates that it is permitted. The Gemara answers: The members of the house of Rabban Gamliel are different, as they were close to the monarchy, and therefore had to learn Greek wisdom in order to converse with people of authority. As it is taught in a baraita (Tosefta, Shabbat 7:1): One who cuts his hair in the komi style, which was the gentile fashion of cutting and wearing the hair, is considered to be acting in the ways of the Amorites, and it is prohibited to act in their way. However, they permitted Avtolos ben Reuven to cut his hair in the komi style, as he is close to the monarchy, and similarly they permitted the house of Rabban Gamliel to study Greek wisdom, because they are close to the monarchy. https://www.sefaria.org/Sotah.49b.11-14?lang=bi     Links:   The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: The Rabbi's Husband   Mark’s Twitter: Mark Gerson - The Rabbi's Husband (@markgerson)   The Rabbi’s Husband Newsletter contact: daniel@therabbishusband.com

Rabbi Marc Schneier, Founder of The Hampton Synagogue, one of the most dynamic synagogues in the United States, is Mark’s very special guest this week. Rabbi Schneier is also the founder of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, whose mission began as rebuilding the historic Black-Jewish alliance in the United States, and, for nearly the past 15 years, has grown to also build Muslim-Jewish relations globally. The passage he has chosen to discuss today is Genesis 21:9-20. Rabbi Schneier begins the conversation by sharing his summary of the passage and its context, comparing the treatment of Isaac and Ishmael by the Qur’an and the Torah, and looking at differing definitions of ‘a great nation’. He and Mark then delve into the messages of gratitude and opening our eyes to our blessings when seeking salvation that are found in the passage, highlighting how they are pertinent to everyday life and in the counseling which he provides. The episode concludes with the lessons about humankind that the Rabbi has learned, the need for leadership, empathy and understanding in our world, and some exciting breaking news regarding his synagogue and JBS. As you will undoubtedly agree, this is both an ‘extraordinary and very difficult passage’ providing a wealth of wisdom and advice for our modern times through the ‘powerful, powerful lessons’ it offers us all, and which are revealed here today. Episode Highlights: · Rabbi Schneier’s summary of the passage and its context · Comparing the Qur’an and the Torah’s treatment of Isaac and Ishmael · Differing definitions of a great nation · How Ishmael was saved in the desert · Overlooking the obvious · The resonance between this passage and the story of Balaam · The message of this passage for everyday, especially during the pandemic, and in the counseling which the Rabbi provides · The definition of Judah · Looking in front of you, behind you, and inside of you · The lessons that Rabbi Schneier has learned about humankind · The need for leadership, empathy, and understanding · Breaking news about the Hampton Synagogue and the Jewish Broadcasting Service (JBS) Quotes: “Abraham is asked to sacrifice both his sons.” “There’s no creature whom God does not test.” “Abraham is really the embodiment of being tested.” “Often, all we have to do is open our eyes and the source of our salvation is right in front of us.” “This has been one of the most powerful, powerful lessons in the Torah, in the Bible.” “Gratitude exists before I do.” “We thank before we think.” “The very essence of being Jew means to give thanks.” “In life, we have to learn how to maximize our blessings, and not to exaggerate our troubles.” “You don’t need any divine intervention.” “It’s easy to overlook the obvious.” “Let me help you open your eyes and see the opportunities and see the blessings and maybe your salvation is right there.” “People need to be led. People need to be challenged. People need inspiration. They need to be galvanized.” “Where there is hope, nothing is impossible.” “It’s all about balance.” “When it comes to synagogues, there’s no business like shul business.” Genesis 21:9-20 Sarah saw the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham playing. She said to Abraham, “Cast out that slave-woman and her son, for the son of that slave shall not share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.” The matter distressed Abraham greatly, for it concerned a son of his. But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed over the boy or your slave; whatever Sarah tells you, do as she says, for it is through Isaac that offspring shall be continued for you. As for the son of the slave-woman, I will make a nation of him, too, for he is your seed.” Early next morning Abraham took some bread and a skin of water, and gave them to Hagar. He placed them over her shoulder, together with the child, and sent her away. And she wandered about in the wilderness of Beer-sheba. When the water was gone from the skin, she left the child under one of the bushes, and went and sat down at a distance, a bowshot away; for she thought, “Let me not look on as the child dies.” And sitting thus afar, she burst into tears. God heard the cry of the boy, and an angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heeded the cry of the boy where he is. Come, lift up the boy and hold him by the hand, for I will make a great nation of him.” Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. She went and filled the skin with water, and let the boy drink. God was with the boy and he grew up; he dwelt in the wilderness and became a bowman. https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.21.9-20?lang=bi&aliyot=0 Links: The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: The Rabbi's Husband Mark’s Twitter: Mark Gerson - The Rabbi's Husband (@markgerson) The Rabbi’s Husband Newsletter contact: daniel@therabbishusband.com

Mark is absolutely delighted to welcome Rabbi Sergio Bergman to the podcast today. Currently the President of the World Union for Progressive Judaism, Rabbi Bergman oversees 1,275 synagogues with 1.8 million members in more than 50 countries. He is an Argentinian-born pharmacist, politician, social activist, and community leader who is well known for many accomplishments, including his innovative and inspirational socio-educational and religious projects. The passage he has chosen to discuss today is Genesis 1:1-5. Rabbi Bergman begins by sharing his summary of the passage, his admiration for Martin Buber’s perspective on it, and the notion of the first light of Creation. He and Mark then discuss the contrast between physical and spiritual light, and the connection between light and so many sacred moments of Jewish life, particularly Hanukkah. The Rabbi concludes the episode with the lessons he has learned about humankind and his call to respect and take care of each other and of nature as well. You will undoubtedly be swept up in the passion and enthusiasm which Rabbi Bergman brings to today’s examination of the light of God and its infusion into our world and everyday lives, demonstrating once more the timeless relevance and guidance inherent in the Torah. Episode Highlights: · Rabbi Bergman’s summary of the passage and its significance for him · Martin Buber · The first light · Physical and spiritual light · The circle of light · The universal challenge · The connection between this passage and Hanukkah · Respecting and taking care of nature · The lessons about humankind that Rabbi Bergman has learned · Noah’s wife’s sacred work Quotes: “We have the beginning of the beginning of humankind.” “This is not a history book.” “The Torah tries to teach us the meaning of our lives.” “What is the light of the first day?” “I think that this light is God’s presence.” “I will put Myself in the physical world.” “Discover the difference between physical and spiritual.” “Where is the hidden light where we can bring more light to the world?” “This is the story of humankind.” “The light is the spirit.” “In your small table, with your close friends and family, you recreate the miracle of the light.” “Life is the light of God.” “We need to be there with our brothers.” “In every generation, in every time, the flood is coming.” “We need to rebuild balance inside and outside.” “Peace is in us.” “Everyday we have a miracle to celebrate.” Genesis 1:1-5 When God began to create heaven and earth— the earth being unformed and void, with darkness over the surface of the deep and a wind from God sweeping over the water— God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, a first day. https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.1.1-5?lang=bi&aliyot=0 Links: The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: The Rabbi's Husband Mark’s Twitter: Mark Gerson - The Rabbi's Husband (@markgerson) The Rabbi’s Husband Newsletter contact: daniel@therabbishusband.com Notes go here

Mark’s delight is palpable as he welcomes Rabbi Rick Jacobs to the podcast today. As President of the Union for Reform Judaism, Rabbi Jacobs currently leads the largest and most diverse Jewish movement in North America. He is a longtime and devoted creative change agent who has served as Rabbi of the Brooklyn Heights Synagogue, where he created the first homeless shelter in a New York City synagogue, before spending 20 years as a visionary spiritual leader at Westchester Reform Temple in Scarsdale, New York. The passage he has chosen to discuss today is Isaiah 58:1-8.   Rabbi Jacobs begins the conversation by summarizing the passage and sharing its significance for him, particularly in its commentary upon moving beyond the foundation of ritual and study toward acting for social justice. He and Mark engage in an extensive exploration of other related Torah passages, the call to be righteously indignant for justice, and experiencing empathy for others. They also discuss the examples set by social justice activists throughout history, the story behind this passage’s placement within Yom Kippur, as well as the Rabbi’s perspective on important Jewish holidays and the global Jewish people. He draws the episode to a close with a particularly powerful example of one of the lessons he has learned about humankind. Rest assured, you will not only be educated by Rabbi Jacobs today, but you will be inspired and moved to action through his wisdom, his passion, and, above all, his integrity, in today’s utterly fascinating discussion.   Episode Highlights:  ·   Rabbi Jacobs’ summary of the passage and its significance for him ·   The powerful grounding in ritual and study ·   The requirement of living ethically rigorous, disciplined, impactful lives ·   Other passages in the Torah that echo the message of today’s passage ·   Being righteously indignant for the sake of justice ·   Experiencing empathy for others ·   What it means to be a person of faith ·   Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, Dr. Martin Luther King, and Rabbi Maurice Eisendrath ·   The story behind the placement of this passage as part of Yom Kippur ·   The Rabbi’s perspective on the two most important Jewish holidays ·   Rabbi David Hartman and how he inspired Rabbi Jacobs ·   Rabbi Jacob’s vision of a global Jewish people ·   The lessons that he has learned about humankind    Quotes:   “The section is very agitational.”   “It literally is a counterbalance to the most intense ritual moment in the Jewish calendar.”   “It’s a corrective to a Judaism that would be only obsessed with ritual details.”   “I’m literally in love with this passage.”   “At our most intense ritual, we read a passage that challenges the conventional notion of ritual.”   “Commitment to social justice, to righting the wrongs of society, are fundamental to what it means to be a person of Jewish commitment and faith.”   “Religious life is built on the details.”   “This is not about checking the box.”   “This is a time when everybody’s stomachs are growling.”   “Use the experience of this Holy Day to fuel a greater sensitivity and awareness…the experience is supposed to get inside not only our heads, but our hearts.”   “It was as if my feet were praying.”   “The Torah isn’t just for our sanctuary, for our ritual moment. It’s a beacon of light in the world.”   “I want them to take on something and really do it.”   “For the Jewish tradition, social justice isn’t ‘community service’.”   “We’ve got to stretch ourselves.”   “There is within each of us a common bond to the people who are the most different.”   “We find a bedrock upon which we can build a world of hope and possibility.”     Isaiah 58;1-8 Cry with full throat, without restraint; Raise your voice like a ram’s horn! Declare to My people their transgression, To the House of Jacob their sin. To be sure, they seek Me daily, Eager to learn My ways. Like a nation that does what is right, That has not abandoned the laws of its God, They ask Me for the right way, They are eager for the nearness of God: “Why, when we fasted, did You not see? When we starved our bodies, did You pay no heed?” Because on your fast day You see to your business And oppress all your laborers! Because you fast in strife and contention, And you strike with a wicked fist! Your fasting today is not such As to make your voice heard on high. Is such the fast I desire, A day for men to starve their bodies? Is it bowing the head like a bulrush And lying in sackcloth and ashes? Do you call that a fast, A day when the LORD is favorable? No, this is the fast I desire: To unlock fetters of wickedness, And untie the cords of the yoke To let the oppressed go free; To break off every yoke. It is to share your bread with the hungry, And to take the wretched poor into your home; When you see the naked, to clothe him, And not to ignore your own kin. Then shall your light burst through like the dawn And your healing spring up quickly; Your Vindicator shall march before you, The Presence of the LORD shall be your rear guard. https://www.sefaria.org/Isaiah.58.1-8?lang=bi&with=all&lang2=en     Links:   The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: The Rabbi's Husband   Mark’s Twitter: Mark Gerson - The Rabbi's Husband (@markgerson)   The Rabbi’s Husband Newsletter contact: daniel@therabbishusband.com

Mark is delighted to welcome his good friend and fellow cigar aficionado, Rabbi Steven Weil, to the podcast this week. Currently the National Director and CEO of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF), Rabbi Weil previously held the position of Senior Managing Director of the Orthodox Union (OU) for 11 years, and his Torah commentary  - some of the most incisive Mark has heard – can still be found on some of their fairly obscure websites. The passage he has chosen to discuss with Mark is Genesis 23.   They begin by summarizing the passage and go on to explore its significance for the Rabbi based on a large part in Rabbi Soloveitchik’s reading of it, including the notion of Abraham being both an alien/stranger and an inhabitant. They also look at the respect the Hittites have for Abraham, his rejection of Ephron’s generous offer, the dialectical existence of the Jew, and the tension that this existence can, at times, generate. God’s eulogy of Sarah and some examples of people living their life like her are also examined before Rabbi Weil concludes the episode with the lessons he has learned about mankind and the Jewish concept of learning. Much like the Rabbi, you will undoubtedly find yourself questioning your own assumptions as your brain is stretched during today’s enlightening and inspiring conversation between these two great friends.   Episode Highlights:  ·   Their summary of the passage and its significance for Rabbi Weil ·   The Hittites’ respect for Abraham ·   Abraham as both alien and inhabitant ·   His desire for a place that he owns and controls completely ·   Rabbi Soloveitchik’s reading of this text ·   Abraham’s rejection of Ephron’s free offer ·   The dialectical existence of the Jewish people ·   Rabbi Weil’s examples of the tensions arising from this existence ·   God’s eulogy of Sarah ·   The examples of Bernie Lander and Dr. Ruth ·   The lessons Rabbi Weil has learned about humankind ·   The Jewish concept of learning    Quotes:   “Even though they’re polytheists, they recognize this man, the Prince of God.”   “They never understood him when he said ‘ger ve-toshav’ – ‘I’m a stranger and I’m an inhabitant’.”   “What, are you better than us?”   “The Jew leads, so to speak, a dialectical existence.”   “Probably the most loyal Americans that I’ve ever met are survivors.”   “We, as Jews, are much more responsible for the benefit and the welfare of this country.”   “You can’t give someone an answer when they’re not listening.”   “Always retain the qualities of that stage in your life as you pass through it.”   “If you can combine energy and enthusiasm with wisdom, that’s how you become Sarah.”   “The ideas I cannot take credit for.”   “What appears on the surface is 99% of the time not the case.”   “The older we get, the more rich our learning is because it builds upon our previous experiences.”     Genesis 23 Sarah’s lifetime—the span of Sarah’s life—came to one hundred and twenty-seven years. Sarah died in Kiriath-arba—now Hebron—in the land of Canaan; and Abraham proceeded to mourn for Sarah and to bewail her. Then Abraham rose from beside his dead, and spoke to the Hittites, saying, “I am a resident alien among you; sell me a burial site among you, that I may remove my dead for burial.” And the Hittites replied to Abraham, saying to him, “Hear us, my lord: you are the elect of God among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our burial places; none of us will withhold his burial place from you for burying your dead.” Thereupon Abraham bowed low to the people of the land, the Hittites, and he said to them, “If it is your wish that I remove my dead for burial, you must agree to intercede for me with Ephron son of Zohar. Let him sell me the cave of Machpelah that he owns, which is at the edge of his land. Let him sell it to me, at the full price, for a burial site in your midst.” Ephron was present among the Hittites; so Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham in the hearing of the Hittites, all who entered the gate of his town, saying, “No, my lord, hear me: I give you the field and I give you the cave that is in it; I give it to you in the presence of my people. Bury your dead.” Then Abraham bowed low before the people of the land, and spoke to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, saying, “If only you would hear me out! Let me pay the price of the land; accept it from me, that I may bury my dead there.” And Ephron replied to Abraham, saying to him, “My lord, do hear me! A piece of land worth four hundred shekels of silver—what is that between you and me? Go and bury your dead.” Abraham accepted Ephron’s terms. Abraham paid out to Ephron the money that he had named in the hearing of the Hittites—four hundred shekels of silver at the going merchants’ rate. So Ephron’s land in Machpelah, near Mamre—the field with its cave and all the trees anywhere within the confines of that field—passed to Abraham as his possession, in the presence of the Hittites, of all who entered the gate of his town. And then Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave of the field of Machpelah, facing Mamre—now Hebron—in the land of Canaan. Thus the field with its cave passed from the Hittites to Abraham, as a burial site. https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.23.1-20?lang=bi&aliyot=0     Links:   The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: The Rabbi's Husband   Mark’s Twitter: Mark Gerson - The Rabbi's Husband (@markgerson)   The Rabbi’s Husband Newsletter contact: daniel@therabbishusband.com

Jon Steinberg, one of Mark’s favorite cigar smoking companions, is the very special guest on this week’s episode. Currently the president of Altice News and Advertising, Jon is also the founder of Cheddar, the leading Post Cable Networks company. Previously, he had been the Chief Executive Officer of DailyMail.com North America, and the President and Chief Operating Officer at BuzzFeed, and is widely considered one of the world’s great media entrepreneurs. Jon has chosen a rabbinical commentary by Rebbe Maharash, L’chatchila Ariber, to discuss with Mark today. He begins the conversation by sharing the selected text, its importance for him and how he was introduced to it initially. He and Mark then embark on an extensive analysis of the differing possible readings of this text, some examples of it from both the Bible and in Jon’s work, as well as the importance of learning through failure, walking in God’s ways, and being unique in business. Jon also shares his thoughts on the message this text provides in the time of COVID, and he concludes the discussion with the lessons he has learned about humankind. Fittingly, Mark and Jon dedicate this episode to Rabbi Moshe Scheiner of Palm Beach Synagogue, the man who first introduced Jon to this instructive text, and whose wisdom and understanding continues to inspire them, as is clearly demonstrated here today. Episode Highlights:  ·   Jon’s summary of the commentary and its importance for him ·   How he found it ·   Some differing readings of it ·   Some practical examples of this commentary ·   Learning through failure ·   Walking in God’s ways ·   This text’s message in the context of COVID ·   Biblical examples of leaping over obstacles ·   Jon’s use of Torah wisdom in his businesses ·   Being unique in business ·   The lessons that Jon has learned about humankind    Quotes:   “There are many different readings you could have into this.”   “Be bold, have conviction, have energy.”   “Don’t go low in the first place. Go high in the first place.”   “Just do it.”   “Take the creative, bold approach in the first place.”   “The conventional wisdom is usually right, and seldom profitable.”   “If you’re not doing something which is long odds, there really is no chance of you building anything that’s significant or different or unique.”   “Never trouble trouble until trouble troubles you.”   “Anxiety and worry is really wasted energy.”   “I’m a huge worrier.”   “Judaism tells us to keep moving along, to keep moving forward…you can’t do good deeds if you’re not in motion.”   “Jumping over is a way more aggressive and bold forward momentum than crawling like a baby under.”   “You only learn by going.”   “Walk, leap, and go.”   “Just copying doesn’t work.”   “My playbook is totally unique stuff.”   “No person leads an unencumbered life.”   L’chatchila Ariber The world says that if you cannot crawl under an obstacle, try to leap over it. However, I say, leap over it in the first place! https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/2718066/jewish/What-Does-Lchatchila-Ariber-Mean.htm     Links:   The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: The Rabbi's Husband   Mark’s Twitter: Mark Gerson - The Rabbi's Husband (@markgerson)   The Rabbi’s Husband Newsletter contact: mailto:daniel@therabbishusband.com

Mark is delighted to welcome Rabbi Susan Silverman to the podcast today. Rabbi Silverman is the founder of KAMOCHA: A Jewish Response to Refugees, is on the Board of Directors of Women of the Wall, and the International Council of The New Israel Fund. She is also the Founding Director of Second Nurture: Every Child Deserves a Family – And a Community, an organization dedicated to providing a path to adoption for “waiting” children by bringing together multiple adults from within the same community who are interested in foster-adoption, creating an adoption cohort, and offering multilayered support throughout the adoption process. The passage she has chosen to discuss is Genesis 1:1-8.   Rabbi Silverman’s dual interpretation of the passage sets off a wide ranging discussion between herself and Mark regarding such topics as the two beginnings, the New Years of the Torah, being in relationship with God and others, and the eternal challenge of balancing order and freedom. As the conversation turns to the theme of brokenness, the Rabbi shares her perspective on how this passage, and really the very nature of the Torah, relate to the lives of those children with whom she works through foster care and adoption. She finishes the episode with the lessons she has learned about humankind, particularly about the need for relationship which is so prevalent throughout her vocation of ‘being engaged in the sacred process of helping children from troubled backgrounds to begin again’ - a noble example of this passage brought to life each and every day.   Episode Highlights:   ·   Rabbi Silverman’s summary of the passage and its interest for her ·   Her explanation of the two beginnings ·   How the passage relates to Rabbi Silverman’s work in foster care and adoption ·   The New Years in the Jewish calendar ·   Being in relationship with God and others ·   The eternal challenge of balancing order and freedom ·   Brokenness inherent in Creation itself ·   How foster children relate to this passage practically ·   Foster children naming their story ·   The importance of making room for foster children to retell their stories of trauma ·   The lessons that Rabbi Silverman has learned about humankind    Quotes:   “God’s creation is potential, and…we are the vessels that give that shape.”   “The great gift in the Torah is the ability to begin again.”   “We have so many tracks in which we need to begin again.”   “Existence means relationship.”   “It’s false humility to deny the gifts that God has given you.”   “You know, you can really force your kids to do pretty much anything, but don’t expect to create a relationship.”   “When we do well, everybody does well.”   “There’s no growth without loss. There’s no growth without brokenness…brokenness is inherent in Creation itself.”   “I want your broken selves.”   “Telling our story is what is so powerful.”   “Every time a child is uprooted…certainly from their bio family and then from foster families, it’s a trauma.”   “We become because someone’s reflecting...us.”   “Start to make the stories matter.”   “There’s no one right way to educate a child. Each child’s different.”   “Ultimately, everybody wants and needs relationship…there's no self without the other.”   “We have to be able to see ourselves in every other person.”   “I think we all rule over God.”   Genesis 1:1-8 Bereshit When God began to create heaven and earth— the earth being unformed and void, with darkness over the surface of the deep and a wind from God sweeping over the water— God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, a first day. God said, “Let there be an expanse in the midst of the water, that it may separate water from water.” God made the expanse, and it separated the water which was below the expanse from the water which was above the expanse. And it was so. God called the expanse Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, a second day. https://www.sefaria.org/Genesis.1.1?lang=en&with=all&lang2=en   Links:   The Rabbi’s Husband homepage: The Rabbi's Husband   Mark’s Twitter: Mark Gerson - The Rabbi's Husband (@markgerson)   The Rabbi’s Husband Newsletter contact: mailto:daniel@therabbishusband.com